Constant Thirst and Dehydration Despite High Water Intake
Over the past few weeks, I've been feeling an insatiable thirst and consuming between 12 to 16 cups of water daily. I find myself visiting the restroom approximately every hour or two, with the fluid passing through my system almost immediately. I have experimented with electrolyte powders and drinks like Gatorade, yet they do not appear to alleviate my symptoms. My lab test results suggest mild dehydration; however, conditions such as high blood sugar, as well as kidney, liver, and thyroid disorders have been ruled out. I would appreciate any advice on the next steps to address this issue. Some of my lab values that are abnormal or borderline include: - RBC: 5.4 - Hemoglobin: 15.6 - Hematocrit%: 49.3 - MCHC: 31.6 - BUN: 8 - Calcium: 10.2 - Bilirubin total: 1.1 - Albumin: 5.2 - A/G ratio: 2.51 - Iron, total: 180 - % Iron saturation: 56 - A1C: 4.7 Recently, I haven’t been very active, so I'm not perspiring much, and my caffeine and alcohol intake is minimal. I do use cannabis twice a week. My diet has been vegan for about four months. Although I take several medications and supplements, none have undergone adjustments recently, leading healthcare providers to suggest that developing side effects long after starting these would be unusual. My current regimen includes: - 40mg Vilazodone - 40mg Vyvanse - 20mg Propranolol - 300mg Wellbutrin - 100mg Doxycycline - 500mg American Ginseng - 15mg L-Methylfolate - 400mg Riboflavin - .30ml Testosterone weekly - A multivitamin that seems to have an excessive amount of iron. I am an 18-year-old transgender male, standing 5'3" and weighing 128 pounds. If more lab results or additional details would be helpful, please let me know. Thank you for your assistance!
Answers (1)
8/25/2025, 1:41:32 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about your constant thirst and dehydration, especially given your high water intake and lab results. Several factors may contribute to your symptoms, including dietary changes, medications, or underlying conditions that may not have been fully evaluated yet.
Explanation
Coping with an insatiable thirst and frequent urination can be uncomfortable and frustrating. Since common conditions like diabetes, kidney issues, and thyroid disorders have been excluded, we might consider other explanations. These can include:
- Dietary Factors: A vegan diet can sometimes lead to imbalances or deficiencies that might cause symptoms, especially with high fluid intake.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause dry mouth or increase urination. Overall, the combination of medications you're taking could also be influencing your hydration status.
- Electrolyte Imbalance: Even though you experimented with electrolyte solutions, it might be worth looking into whether there's an insufficient balance in your diet.
Next Steps
-
Maintain a Symptom Diary: Keep track of your daily water intake, urination patterns, food intake, and any symptoms you note. This can help you and your healthcare provider understand trends and triggers.
-
Review Medications Carefully: Consider discussing your current medication regimen with a healthcare provider to evaluate potential interactions or side effects, particularly relating to thirst and urination.
-
Adjust Your Diet: Since you’re following a vegan diet, ensure you are meeting your nutritional needs, especially electrolytes and hydration. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Pay attention to potassium and magnesium-rich foods (like bananas, spinach, and nuts) and consider limiting high-iron foods if your multivitamin offers excess.
-
Hydration Strategy: While it's essential to stay hydrated, it might help to gradually reduce your intake to see if your symptoms change. Ensure you balance your fluids with electrolytes through natural sources (like coconut water or broths).
-
Consult a Specialist: If your symptoms persist, it may be beneficial to seek further evaluation from an endocrinologist or a nutrition specialist who can provide more targeted insight into hydration and dietary needs.
-
Monitor Other Symptoms: Pay attention to any new symptoms, like fatigue, weakness, or changes in mood, that could suggest additional medical evaluation is necessary.
These steps focus on understanding your symptoms better and ensuring your body is getting what it needs. Please reach out if you have any other questions or need further information.
Related Questions
Could These Be Simple Ingrown Hairs Instead of Herpes?
(18M) Today, I underwent a swab test, and my physician expressed a strong belief that what I’m experiencing is merely an irritation from shaving, as I had groomed myself a few days earlier. I was initially quite anxious when I discovered some fluid-filled bumps at the base of my penis. In my nervousness, I ended up popping them, and they now resemble typical ingrown hairs. Still, I would appreciate hearing others' perspectives on the matter. My girlfriend has undergone two tests for herpes, both blood and swab, and both returned negative. I’ve faced a similar situation before, had it tested, and those results were negative as well, leading me to believe it’s not herpes. I’m curious to know your thoughts. Thank you!
Exploring Memory Concerns: Should I Discuss This with My Doctor?
I am a 33-year-old woman weighing 195 pounds and standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. I have been diagnosed with OCD, for which I currently take 75 mg of Zoloft, although I typically require a higher dosage. For the past several years, I have experienced increasing difficulties with word recall. This issue becomes more pronounced during moments of frustration or distress, yet it is a persistent challenge regardless of my emotional state. While no one in my family has been diagnosed with dementia, we do have a history of vascular disorders that have occasionally impacted brain health, including early strokes and aneurysms. This concern has been present for around six years, but I have noticed a steady escalation in memory lapses over the past three years. I began my OCD treatment about six years ago, and although I have increased my dosage to a maximum of 150 mg previously, I currently take 75 mg after consulting with my doctor due to its sedative effects. I also gave birth to my first child around the same time I started my medication, leading me to attribute my memory difficulties to the phenomenon often referred to as “mom brain.” My worries intensified lately, however, as I find myself forgetting common words in everyday conversations, such as "hairbrush" or "storage bin." Should this issue be discussed with my primary care physician? Is it merely a result of being a new mom, or is there something more serious at play? How pressing is it to schedule an appointment with my PCP to address these memory concerns? For context, my OCD tendencies do not revolve around health matters; my compulsions mainly focus on morality and interpersonal relationships.
Unexplained Freezing Episodes: Seeking Insight
Hi there! I’m a 30-year-old woman, standing at 5 feet 4 inches and weighing 108 pounds. For the past few years, I’ve experienced sudden episodes of fear, but it’s become notably more frequent over the last month or two. Friends and family have pointed out that I sometimes freeze, displaying a terrified or distressed look, yet I have no recollection of these events afterward and simply continue on as though nothing occurred. What could be the underlying issue? I appreciate your patience with my lengthy message! These fear episodes first began a few years back. I recall a moment when my family mentioned I hadn’t had my blood tested, prompting a visit to our family physician for a blood draw. After the nurse finished the procedure, she rushed to get me a drink—either milk or juice, I can’t quite remember. Initially, my mom and I were grateful for her kindness until the nurse observed how pale I looked, prompting my mom and I to realize something was off. Later that day, I developed a fever, which eventually subsided, but since that incident, I’ve been experiencing these fearful moments. Typically, these freezing episodes last under a minute. I’ve somewhat acclimated to them, allowing me to push through daily activities. For example, I can generally keep driving or engage in routine tasks. However, when I’m playing video games and one of these episodes strikes, I often can’t remember the controls, even though I know it’s just a transient fear response. It’s bewildering; I might be aware of the fear, yet my mind goes blank regarding the game. During these times, I frequently experience goosebumps. If someone is nearby, I’ll often ask them to feel my pulse, and they usually notice that my heart rate has increased. To complicate matters, my blood sample ended up being deemed unusable, so we never received any test results. Early on, my family was understandably worried about these incidents and took me to the emergency room. However, the ER staff assessed me and said I was fine, without addressing any issues related to blood samples. I returned home with no additional answers. At one point, I learned that Ashwagandha and magnesium supplements might support those dealing with panic attacks or anxiety. I began taking magnesium daily and opted for Ashwagandha on mornings when I didn’t have time for breakfast. Interestingly, these supplements seemed to lessen my fear episodes for a while, although I noticed that their frequency increased during my menstrual periods. Recently, though, I’ve found myself freezing again, sporting a frightened or distressed expression. Others around me have noticed these spells and bring them up after they occur, but I have no memory of the experiences. I’ve asked them to pinch or lightly hit me when they see me frozen, and they’ve confirmed they do so, yet I remain unaware of those moments. I plan to seek out a new physician soon. My current family doctor has a notably low rating of 1.4 stars on Yelp and 1.5 stars on Google, while the ER I visited has a mediocre 2.0-star rating. I'm eager to find a more suitable doctor. If anyone has experienced something similar or knows a good recommendation, it would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, I’d like to clarify a common misconception: when I share my story, some people jump to the conclusion that I have a fear of blood. That’s not the case. These moments can happen completely independent of blood, and I usually do not experience general anxiety or fear regarding anything else.
Inquiry Regarding Rash on Child's Leg
Dear Doctors, I would like your insight on a rash affecting my son’s leg. He is a 22-month-old boy weighing around 25 pounds and is generally of average height. Currently, he is not on any medication apart from Lotrimin, which he used for a short duration of a few days. There are some fluid-filled blisters present. The first image reflects the rash as it appeared today, while the second image captures it from Thursday. The rash is localized to his leg and knee area. Initially, I suspected it might be fungal and applied Lotrimin, but my certainty regarding that diagnosis has diminished. We have recently dealt with a case of Hand Foot Mouth disease, but he has been completely recovered for a few weeks now. I consulted his pediatrician the same day the rash emerged, but they were unable to provide a definitive explanation, suggesting it likely isn’t related to HFM or molluscum contagiosum. They recommended that I continue with Lotrimin if I wished, though I am beginning to doubt its efficacy. There are no accompanying fevers, and it doesn’t seem to cause him any discomfort. Additionally, there haven’t been any recent changes in detergents or foods introduced to his diet. I first noticed the rash a few hours into the morning. What do you think could be causing this?
Concerns About MCP Joint Without Injury
As a 22-year-old female, I went to bed feeling perfectly fine, but upon waking seven hours later, I discovered an issue with my right pinky finger. Initially, I experienced minor discomfort accompanied by slight pain, yet nothing appeared particularly alarming. However, I soon realized that the knuckle had shifted closer to my other finger than normal, and the pinky was protruding outward at an unusual angle. There was warmth in the affected area, and I felt a minor pain radiating down to my wrist and occasionally toward my elbow. Although there was no visible bruising, I did note some swelling. I still maintained nearly full movement in my finger, being able to bend it without issue. Yet, some stiffness was present, and the joint occasionally felt like it was “sticking,” requiring an extra moment to get it to bend again. I can extend all my fingers beyond a 90° angle, though with this particular joint, it seems to drop lower and I have to lift it back up. I'm contemplating a visit to urgent care when they open in the morning but remain uncertain whether this situation genuinely warrants medical attention or if I simply slept in an awkward position.